What Is a Data Breach?

A data breach happens when cybercriminals gain unauthorised access to a system or network, allowing them to search for sensitive data pertaining to a business and its customers, and using it to extract some form of illegal value. Attackers might sell this data on the dark web, directly engage in fraud, hold the information for ransom, or use it to inflict damage on their victim’s operations.

The types of data compromised in a breach include personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), credential information, credit card numbers and other financial